Isuzu UTE launches 'Team D-MAX' Precision Driving Team

SYDNEY – Feb 4, 2013: In a surprise move, Australia’s most
famous stunt driving team is set to re-emerge in 2013 with a new
naming-rights and vehicle sponsor - Isuzu UTE Australia.

Dubbed “Team D-MAX”, the troupe is owned and operated by EMG
Precision Driving and makes the switch after five years in Toyota HiLuxs.
The team moved from Holden to Toyota in 2008, which was the same year that
Isuzu UTE Australia introduced the D-MAX Ute to the Australian market.

“Precision driving has been a crowd favourite at city and regional
agricultural shows for over 45 years and reaches a huge live audience in
our target markets,” said Isuzu UTE’s Senior Public Relations
Manager Dave Harding.

“No other sponsorship property outside of off-road racing gives us
the opportunity to display our D-MAX ute in action so we’re really
excited at this new “Team D-MAX” asset and the benefits it will
bring our growing brand,” he added.

The Isuzu D-MAX is offered in 12 different 4x4 and 4x2 models and the
team has chosen the Japanese-designed 4x2 SX Crew Cab Low-Ride for its
performance fleet.

“Making the switch to a new manufacturer is a big deal for us but
the timing was right and Isuzu UTE is doing incredibly well at the
moment,” said EMG Director, Wayne Boatwright.

“They are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of trucks
and diesel engines now and the D-MAX ute has been extremely successful
since it was launched in Australia in 2008.

“We’ve obviously got some pretty skilled drivers in the team
but the shows we do are a massive test for the vehicles as well and D-MAX
is the real deal in terms of ruggedness and performance. Their truck
heritage and Japanese engineering is obvious when you look closely at how
they are built. They have even backed them now with a five-year warranty
and Roadside Assistance program which is unheard of for this type of
vehicle.”

“The company is focussed and progressive. They are growing quickly
and getting involved in some great motorsport programs around the world
from the world’s toughest off road races like Dakar to one-make
series racing in Thailand and Malaysia … we very are excited about
the move,” Boatwright added.

Significantly the team will continue its long term partnership with
fellow Japanese company Bridgestone Tyres.

Boatwright said, “The team has used Bridgestone tyres for decades
... they are premium quality and proven under the most extreme conditions
so it was very important for us to be able to continue that association -
as it happens they are also fitted as standard equipment on the D-MAX so
that’s great for all of us.”

The team’s lead driver Jack Monkhouse said, “It will be the
first time the team has ever used diesel power and I’m blown away by
the performance of the D-MAX’s 3-litre turbo diesel engine, I
can’t wait for our first show.”

Team D-MAX will make its first public appearance at the 2013 Royal
Canberra Show which runs from 22nd to 24th February.